As used in this article, unless the context otherwise indicates,
the following terms shall have the meanings indicted:
AT LARGE
Intended to mean off the premises of the owner, and not under
the control of the owner or a member of his immediate family either
by leash, cord, chain or otherwise.
DOG
Intended to mean both male and female.
DOG OF LICENSING AGE
Any dog which has attained the age of seven months or which
possesses a set of permanent teeth.
NEUTERED DOG
Any dog which has had its reproductive capacity permanently
altered through sterilization.
OWNER
Any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning,
keeping or harboring a dog.
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG
Any dog declared potentially dangerous by a municipal court
pursuant to Section 7 of P.L. 1989, c. 307 (N.J.S.A. 4:19-23).
UNNEUTERED DOG
Any dog which has not had its reproductive capacity permanently
altered through sterilization.
VICIOUS DOG
Any dog declared vicious by a Municipal Court pursuant to
Section 6 of P.L. 1989, c. 307 (N.J.S.A. 4:19-22).
Upon payment of the license fee, the Clerk shall issue to the
owner a license certificate and a metallic tag for each dog so licensed.
The tag shall have stamped thereon the year for which it was issued
and the number corresponding with the number on the certificate. Every
owner shall be required to provide each dog with a collar to which
the license tag must be affixed, and shall see that the collar and
tag are constantly worn. In case a dog tag is lost or destroyed, a
duplicate will be issued by the Clerk upon presentation of a receipt
showing the payment of the license fee for the current year, and the
payment of a fee of $0.50 for such duplicate. Dog tags shall not be
transferable from one dog to another, and no refunds shall be made
on any dog license fee because of death of the dog or the owner's
leaving the Borough before expiration of the license period.
No dog shall be permitted to run at large at any time within
the municipality unless on the premises of the owner or of the person
keeping or harboring said dog.
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer to apprehend any dog found running at large contrary to the provisions of §
56-5 and to impound such dog in the Borough pound or other suitable place. The Animal Control Officer, upon receiving any dog, shall make a complete registry, entering the breed, color and sex of such dog and whether licensed. If licensed he shall enter the name and address of the owner and the number of the license tag. Licensed dogs shall be separated from unlicensed dogs.
Not later than three days after the impounding of any dog, the
owner shall be notified, or if the owner of the dog is unknown written
notice shall be posted for five days at three or more conspicuous
places in the Borough of Rocky Hill, describing the dog and the place
and time of taking. The owner of any dog so impounded may reclaim
such dog upon payment of the license fee, if unpaid, and of all costs
and charges incurred by the Borough of Rocky Hill for impounding and
maintenance of said dog.
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer to keep all
dogs so impounded for a period of seven days. If at the expiration
of seven days from the date of the notice to the owner or the posting
of notice, such dog shall not have been redeemed, it may be destroyed.
Any unlicensed dog required by law to be licensed, or any dog determined
by a licensed veterinarian to be suffering from rabies or affected
with, mange or other infectious or dangerous disease, shall not be
released but may be forthwith destroyed.
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall, upon conviction, be liable for a penalty as provided in Chapter
1, General Provisions, Article
I, General Penalty, herein. Each violation shall be considered a separate offense.